HC Deb 26 June 1978 vol 952 cc1014-5
3. Mr. Macfarlane

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he is satisfied with the composition and the achievements of the Energy Commission.

Mr. Benn

The Energy Commission, whose composition was decided after extensive consultations both inside and outside Government, was set up to advise and assist me on the development of an energy strategy for the United Kingdom. I am encouraged by the progress which the Commission has made to date and have at present no plans to alter the membership.

Mr. Macfarlane

Is it not regrettable that the Secretary of State has chosen to reject the advice of the Select Committee on Science and Technology on this subject? Is it not equally regrettable that neither the United Kingdom Offshore Operators Association nor the Watt Committee on Engineering has been given a place on this very important body? Could it not be that people are right in suggesting that the Secretary of State might on this occasion be guilty of exercising power without responsibility?

Mr. Benn

I think that the hon. Gentleman is wrong. Two hundred organisations, many of which would like to have been directly represented—I am not saying that the Offshore Operators Association and the Watt Committee on Engineering do not have claims—which had claims of equal interest now receive the documentation of the Energy Commission. The transcripts of the discussions are published. My aim is to combine an effective body with the widest coverage of the discussions that take place. I am very happy that the representations of these committees should be before the Energy Commission, but if it were on the scale and of the size implied by the question there would be a national energy conference every three or four months, and I do not think that that would be effective.

Mr. Hooley

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that the Energy Commission is so constituted that it pays sufficient attention to alternative sources of energy such as solar energy, wind and tidal power, as well as being concerned—quite properly—with the major sources such as oil, coal and gas?

Mr. Benn

That issue was discussed at the first meeting of the Commission and the point was made that my hon. Friend has made. I specially circulated to the Energy Commission the paper that he wrote on the subject because I wanted it to be aware of that line of argument. At the last meeting of the Energy Commission, the transcript of which will shortly be published, there was a long discussion about research and development, including alternative sources. I therefore hope that the Energy Commission, which necessarily reflects our existing energy pattern, will never be allowed to forget the need to develop alternative resources.

Mr. Gray

Does the Secretary of State accept that there is a danger of a certain amount of frustration occurring within the Energy Commission if it sees itself purely as a talking shop? How does he propose to react to the suggestions put to him by the Commission?

Mr. Benn

I understand that. The alternative to what is called a "talking shop" or parliament is, of course, a central body that would run all the energy industries in the country—a national fuel authority with a chairman, and power to determine policy. If that were done—it would be the only way to do it—we should eliminate or weaken the statutory responsibility to the House of Commons either of the Minister or of the chairman, so I have to strike a balance.